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.That was her first impression, andfollowing swiftly upon it was a sensation of eased nerves.Riggs swaggered closer to Dale."Say, Buckskin, I hail from Texas--""You're wastin' our time an' we've need to hurry," interrupted Dale.His toneseemed friendly."An' if you ever lived long in Texas you wouldn't pester alady an' you sure wouldn't talk like you do."Page 28 ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html"What!" shouted Riggs, hotly.He dropped his right hand significantly to hiship."Don't throw your gun.It might go off," said Dale.Whatever Riggs's intention had been--and it was probably just what Daleevidently had read it--he now flushed an angry red and jerked at his gun.Dale's hand flashed too swiftly for Helen's eye to follow it.But she heardthe thud as it struck.The gun went flying to the platform and scattered agroup of Indians and Mexicans."You'll hurt yourself some day," said Dale.Helen had never heard a slow, cool voice like this hunter's.Withoutexcitement or emotion or hurry, it yet seemed full and significant of thingsthe words did not mean.Bo uttered a strange little exultant cry.Riggs's arm had dropped limp.No doubt it was numb.He stared, and hispredominating expression was surprise.As the shuffling crowd began to snickerand whisper, Riggs gave Dale a malignant glance, shifted it to Helen, and thenlurched away in the direction of his gun.Dale did not pay any more attention to him.Gathering up Helen's baggage, hesaid, "Come on," and shouldered a lane through the gaping crowd.The girlsfollowed close at his heels."Nell! what'd I tell you?" whispered Bo."Oh, you're all atremble!"Helen was aware of her unsteadiness; anger and fear and relief in quicksuccession had left her rather weak.Once through the motley crowd ofloungers, she saw an old gray stage-coach and four lean horses.A grizzled,sunburned man sat on the driver's seat, whip and reins in hand.Beside him wasa younger man with rifle across his knees.Another man, young, tall, lean,dark, stood holding the coach door open.He touched his sombrero to the girls.His eyes were sharp as he addressed Dale."Milt, wasn't you held up?""No.But some'long-haired galoot was tryin' to hold up the girls.Wanted tothrow his gun on me.I was sure scared," replied Dale, as he deposited theluggage.Bo laughed.Her eyes, resting upon Dale, were warm and bright.The young manat the coach door took a second look at her, and then a smile changed the darkhardness of his face.Dale helped the girls up the high step into the stage, and then, placing thelighter luggage, in with them, he threw the heavier pieces on top"Joe, climb up," he said."Wal, Milt," drawled the driver, "let's ooze along."Dale hesitated, with his hand on the door.He glanced at the crowd, nowedging close again, and then at Helen."I reckon I ought to tell you," he said, and indecision appeared to concernhim.Page 29 ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html"What?" exclaimed Helen."Bad news.But talkin' takes time.An' we mustn't lose any.""There's need of hurry? " queried Helen, sitting up sharply."I reckon.""Is this the stage to Snowdrop?"No.That leaves in the momin'.We rustled this old trap to get a startto-night.""The sooner the better.But I--I don't understand," said Helen, bewildered."It'll not be safe for you to ride on the mornin' stage," returned Dale."Safe! Oh, what do you mean?" exclaimed Helen.Apprehensively she gazed athim and then back at Bo."Explainin' will take time.An' facts may change your mind.But if you can'ttrust me--""Trust you!" interposed Helen, blankly."You mean to take us to Snowdrop? "" I reckon we'd better go roundabout an' not hit Snowdrop," he replied,shortly."Then to Pine--to my uncle--Al Auchincloss?"Yes, I'm goin' to try hard."Helen caught her breath.She divined that some peril menaced her.She lookedsteadily, with all a woman's keenness, into this man's face.The moment wasone of the fateful decisions she knew the West had in store for her.Herfuture and that of Bo's were now to be dependent upon her judgments.It was ahard moment and, though she shivered inwardly, she welcomed the initial andinevitable step.This man Dale, by his dress of buckskin, must be either scoutor hunter.His size, his action, the tone of his voice had been reassuring.But Helen must decide from what she saw in his face whether or not to trusthim
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